Gas burning anx  control apparatus



Dec. 7, 1937. G HERBSTER I GAS BURNING AND CONTROL APPARATUS lFiled Oct. 24, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l 'lll/lA n R @Mw 05E T/@N Zw VHN m A Dec. 7, 1937. G. HERBSTER 2,101,393

GASBURNING AND CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Oct. 24, 1933 2 ShetS-Sheeb 2 Illing INVENTOR @a rj e? /ffsr B Y A TTORNEYS Patented Dec. 7, 1937 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE 5 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for burning fluid fuel and controlling automatically the burning operation and more particularly to a thermostatically operated control valve for use 5 in connection with service burners of gas heating equipment.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to effect efficient ignition of a service burner from a pilot burner and to block the flow l of fuel to the service burner and pilot burner consequent upon extinguishment of the pilot.

A more specific object is to provide a pilot and valve for use in connection with the commonly used types of household room heating apparatus,

15 generally known as "radiant heaters, by virtue of which the heater may be ignited more readily and safely and in which the ow of fuel to the heater service burners is maintained only so long as the pilot burner is ignited.

9 In heaters of this type it is common usage to employ a plurality of service burners arranged in a row and discharging into a suitable grill- Work. In such heaters, a large volume of gas is accumulated in the grill passages before the gas o filters to any point of discharge suitable for ignition by the usual hand methods. As a result, a

large mass of flame from this accumulated gas is discharged violently from the front of the heater upon igniting with accompanying danger to the 30 operator. Furthermore, diiculty has been experienced in effecting lighting of the service burners from the pilot and from each other rapidly enough to` prevent accumulation of gas.

Another object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a pilot light so arranged to effect substantially instantaneous ignition of one or more of the service burners by the pilot when fuel is rst emitted from the service burners, and to effect a more positive and rapid firing relation between the service burner adjacent the pilot light and other service burners and between adjacent burners in the row.

More specific objects are to provide a pilot burner in which the gas discharged for support- 45 ing the pilot ame is thoroughly mixed with air of controlled volume prior to its discharge from the pilot burner and to provide a thermostatic lever arrangement which will operate rapidly and efciently and which operates so as to most effec- 0 tively protect the levers from overheating.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following specification wherein reference is made to the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a radiant heater 55 showing the relative position of the pilot con- (Cl. 15S-117.1)

trolled Valve mechanism and the service burners, part thereof being shown in section for clearness in illustration;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front elevation of the pilot and valve control mechanism and the adjacent service burner, the pilot and valve control mechanism being shown in section for clearness in illustration;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the valve taken on a plane indicated by the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top` plan View of the service burners and igniting burner illustrated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken on a plane indicated by the line 5 5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 2 showing a modified form of the pilot burner and valve mechanism and is taken on a plane indicated by the line 6 6 on Fig. 7.

Fig. '7 is a sectional View of the structure shown in Fig. 6 and is taken on a plane indicated by the line 1 1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view of one of the thermostatic levers and is taken on the plane indicated by the line 8 8 in Fig. 7.

Referring first to Figs. l to 5 inclusive, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown for purposes of illustration in connection with a radiant heater l having the usual grill face 2 and a hollow base or housing 3. Within the base 3 are mounted a number of mixing tubes 4, the tubes i being positioned in a row lengthwise of the base and preferably cast integral with each other, and arranged to discharge upwardly behind the forward face of the grill 2. A gas feed manifold 5, in which are mounted a plurality of discharge nozzles 6, is arranged beneath the mixing tubes 4, the nozzles 6 being spaced along the manifoldrand discharging upwardly axially of the tubes 4- respectively so as to create a Venturi effect and draw air into the tubes 4 along with the gas.

In the form illustrated, each of the mixing tubes 4 is provided at its upper end with two discharge nozzles 1, the nozzles of the tubes preferably being evenly spaced from each other lengthwise of the radiant heater. The manifold 5 is adapted for connection with a source of gas and intermediate the source of gas and the manifold the valve and pilot mechanism, designated generally at I0 in Fig. l, with which the present invention is particularly concerned, is positioned and so arranged that gas from such source mustA pass through the valve mechanism before entering the manifold 5.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 2 to 5 inelusive, the valve and pilot mechanism I0 includes a hollow body II having an inlet passage I2 for admitting fuel thereinto, and a discharge passage I4 arranged to discharge fuel entering the body cavity into the manifold 5, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2. 'Ihe body cavity I5 communicates at one end with the inlet passage I2 and,V

at the other end, with one end of a bore I6 which is preferably of smaller diameter than the body cavity. The bore I6 in turn communicates at its upper end with a larger coaxial bore I1.

Telescopically mounted in the bore I1 is a pilot burner head or plug I8 having a neck or stem portion I9 which is snugly received in the bore I6 so as to normally block the ow of fuel from the body cavity I5 into the bore I1, the stem I9 being slidable axially of the bore I6. The head I8 is preferably hollow, and through the lower wall thereof is a duct 20 which communicates the interior of the bore I1 with the interior of the head I8 so as to admit gas from the bore I1 into the head. The head I8 has an interior fuel supply duct 22 which communicates the interior of the head with a discharge passage 2 I, preferably discharging into said passage upwardly and axially of the passage 2|. The discharge passage 2l, in turn, is arranged to discharge fuel thus admitted into the head from the cavity I5 into the atmosphere, preferably upwardly. y

Intermediate the body cavity I5 and the inlet passage I2 is a valve seat 25. The stem I9 lprotrudes into the body cavity and carries on its innermost end a valve disk 26 cooperable with the seat 25 as the stem I9 is moved inwardly and outwardly to different telescoped positions relative to the body. In the form illustrated, the stem extends from the head I8 beyond the seat toward the inlet passage I2, the valve disk 26 being arranged on the inlet side of the seat 25 so as to move for seating in the direction of ow of fuel into the body cavity.

The discharge passage I4 communicates with the body cavity on the opposite side of the seat 25 from the inlet passage I2 s'o that upon closing the valve the flow of gas from the inlet to the outlet passage is blocked.

In order to admit gas from the body cavity to the discharge passage 2I of the pilot burner, a duct is provided for communicating the body cavity with the bore I1. To provide such a duct, a portion of the stem I9 extending from beneath the head I8 downwardly toward the opposite end of the stem is cut away to provide a dat surface 21. The at surface 21 is of such length relative to the bore I6 that when the stem I9 and head I8 are in an inwardly telescoped position relative to the bore I6, the lower end of the flat area is exposed within the body cavity. Thus the attened surface 21 and the walls of the bore I6 form a duct opening into the body cavity at one end when the head is in predetermined relatively telescoped positions. The surface 21, however, may terminate a suiiicient distance from the head I8 so that when the stem I9 and head I8 arein more Y outwardly withdrawn position relative to the body, the lower end of the at surface 21 is disposed within the bore I6 and the adjacent portion of the stem below the flat surface is in engagement with the wall of the bore I6 so as to effectively block the admission of gas thereinto. Thus a sleeve valve may be'provided for controlling the flow of gas to the pilot. A loose trof the stem I9 in the bore I5 will also operate elfectively as a duct.

The blocking and unblocking of the duct so formed by the surface 21 may be effected intermediate the extreme telescoped and untelescoped positions of the stem and head relative to the body as required.

The surface 21 is likewise preferably so positioned relative to the valve disk 26 that when the stem has moved inwardly a sufllcient distance to unseat the valve disk 26 an amount sufficient for maintaining a substantial flow of gas into the body cavity, the lower portion of the surface 21 will be exposed within the body cavity. Consequently, gas admitted into the body cavity by the disk 26 may pass not only through the body discharge passage I4 but also through the bore I6 and, in turn, the ducts 2U and 22, and discharge outwardly through discharge passage 2| of the pilot burner head I8.

Thus when the pilot head I8 is moved inwardly relative to the body II, the valve disk 26 is open vand gas is emitted from the discharge passage I-I ofthe body and is also emitted from the burner head I8, and when the burner head is moved outwardly a predetermined distance relatively to the body, the valve disk 26 is seated to block the flow of gas through the body cavity to the discharge passage I4 and also through the body cavity to the burner head I8.

'Ihe seat 25 is preferably comparatively wide and the face of the valve disk 26 adjacent the seat 25 is hollow ground about its margin so as to provide a sharp annular edge 26a. The valve disk is of harder metal than the seat and consequently the sharp edge of the valve disk will not become worn in operation and will operate to seal effectively due to the sharp Ysealing edge.

In order to render this operation automatic and responsive to heat of the pilot flame, thermostatic levers 30'are provided, these levers prefer- Vably being arranged on the opposite sides of the pilct flame and in close heating proximity thereto. The levers 30 are bi-metallic strips, operable when heated to move the head I8 inwardly into a relatively more telescoped position and, when cooled, to move the head in the opposite direction. Thus when heated, the levers 30 unseat the valve disk 26 and when cooled seat the disk 26. As a result, once a pilot flame or source of heat is provided at the burner head I8, the thermostatic levers 30 operate the valve disk 26 to admit gas to the discharge passage I 4 and also to passage 2I of the head I8, the latter to supply fuel to the pilot burner flame. Should the pilot thereafter become extinguished, the levers operate to block the flow from the body cavity both to the discharge passage I4 and to the passage 2I and thus completely block the discharge of gas into the room.

In order that the pilot may be lighted more effectively, a supplemental duct 32 is provided in the body II, this duct communicating at one end with the inlet passage at all times and independently of the operation of the valve disk 26..

At its other end the duct 32 communicates with the bore I1 so as to supply fuel from the inlet passage I2 through the duct 20 into the discharge passage 2| of the pilot. A manually operable valve, for example a needle valve 33, is provided for controlling the flow of gas through the duct 32 and is operable to completely block the flow there* through. Consequently, when it is desired to ignite the pilot and to cut on the supply of gas to the service burners, the valve 33 is operated to emit gas to the pilot burner head I8. This'gas is then ignited and supplies a pilot flame which heats the` thermostatic levers 38 to a sufficient degree of temperature to open the valve disk 26 whereupon gas may pass to the service burners and to the pilot independently of the supplemental duct 32. This action requires but a. few seconds, about ten seconds at the most, due to the improved type of pilot burner and thermostatic levers that are used. As soon as this operation is effected, the valve 33 may then be closed. Thereafter, if the pilot becomes extinguished for any reason, the valve disk 26 is seated immediately and escape of gas into the room is. impossible, the continued discharge of gasfrom the body II being dependent upon a continuance of the pilot flame.

Ordinarily if the feed line pressure isreduced there is danger that the pilot flame will become extinguished and in order to eliminate such danger the pilot is provided with a compensating feature for automatically providing a larger passage for gas to the pilot flame if the flame becomes too low and for reducing this passage if the flame becomes unduly increased.

Referring to Fig. 2, the under side of the pilot head is provided intermediate its inner and outer limits with an annular shoulder I8a positioned to engage a seating surface I'I at the lower end of the bore I'I. When the head I8 is moved to a fully telescoped position the shoulder I8a engages the seat inwardly from the open end 32a of the duct 32. The duct 20 however is disposed outwardly beyond the shoulder I8'a. Since the heating of the thermostatic elements moves the head I8 inwardly and outwardly of the body, it is apparent that upon such movement the shoulder I8a cooperates with the seat I'Ia, to enlarge and restrict the passage between the shoulder and seat, consequently varying the passage for gas from the duct 2`| to the duct 20. If the heat of the pilot flame becomes too intense due to an excessive flow of gas the head will move downwardly so that the shoulder |8a will move toward the seat and reduce the flow to the pilot. On the other hand, should the feed line pressure be too greatly reduced the head I8 will move upwardly lifting the shoulder I8a a greater distance from the seat I'Ia.. This action permits more gas to flow to the pilot flame. If this additional flow is not sufficient to maintain the pilot flame the head IS will continue lifting until the valve disk 26 is moved to closed position thus completely stopping the liow to both the pilot and service burners. Several ducts such as the duct 28 may be provided if a larger capacity pilot is necessary for the particular use at hand.

It is desirable in order to maintain a hot and effective ame and one which will not form carbonaceous deposits on the levers 30, to provide a means for mixing air with the gas discharged from the passage 2| of the burner head I8 prior to its discharge therefrom into the atmosphere. For accomplishing this result, one or more openings 35 are provided in the side wall of the passage 2I. Since the duct 22 discharges longitudinally of the head past the opening 35, a flow of air is induced through the opening 35 into the passage 2| and is carried upwardly with the rising gas. To vary the amount of air admitted through the opening 35, the wall of the burner head I8 is externally threaded, as illustrated, and in threaded engagement therewith is a collar 36. The collar 38, the body threads, and the opening 35 are so arranged relative to each other that as the collar is screwed inwardly and outwardly of the head to different positions it will lie-fully or partially over the opening 35, thus restricting the opening and varying the amount of air induced therethrough.

In order to additionally protect the thermostatic levers 30 from overheating and to render the sameI forcibly and quickly responsive to the heat of the pilot burner, the structure illustrated is provided.' The levers 3D, as stated, are bi,- metallic strips, adapted to bow or curl to greater or lesser extent when heated to different degrees of temperature. In the form shown by way of illustration, these levers are normally bowed inwardly toward the flame sulciently so that upon heating and cooling their ends move relatively directly toward and away from each other. The j.

lower endsof the levers 30 are connected by pivotal connections 42A to suitable arms 38vwhich are rigid' withv the body. The opposite ends are connected by pivotal connections 4I to arms 39 which are rigidly aixed to the burner head I8, for eX- l ample by the provision of an armed yoke 40. Consequently, as the ends of the levers move relatively toward and away from each other they effect similar relative movements of the body II and burner head I8.

In the form illustrated, the heating of the thermostats causes them to swing bodily outwardly from the flame so that they are not exposed so closely to it during long periods of operation.

As illustrated the pivotal connections 4I are spaced in the general direction of movement of the head from the pivotal connections 42, levers move outwardly from the flame when the burner head I8 is moved to a relatively more telescoped position, the pivotal connections 4I of the ends of the levers tothe arms 39 must be spaced outwardly more remote from the flame than the pivotal connections 42 of the levers to the arms 38, and these points of connection of the opposite ends of each lever must be maintained in spaced parallel paths of relative movement during relative movement of the head and body II. These desirable results are effected by the arrangement described. Consequently, upon heating, each thermostat tends to curl and move its ends toward each other longitudinally of the path of travel of the head I8, and since the ends are maintained at different distances out from the flame, this operation of the thermostatic levers for moving the head and body to relatively more telescoped positions also causes the levers to swing outwardly about their points of connection with the arms 38 to the position indicated by the dot and dash line 35a. If the reverse of this operation is desired for any reason, it may be accomplished by locating the pivotal connections 42 outwardly from the flame a greater distance than the pivotal connections 4I.

To render this operation more free, the respective ends of the thermostatic levers are connected to the arms by pivots 4I and 42 respectively.

In the form illustrated in Fig. 2, since the pilot flame is disposed at the side of and below the level of the discharge nozzle 'I of the adjacent service burner, an intermediate igniting burner is provided for effecting more efficient ignition. The body II is provided with a duct 45 which communicates with the discharge passage I4 at one end and with the igniting burner tube 46 at the other end, a needle valve or other suitable adjustment 41 being provided for admanifold 5.

justing the iiow of fuel through the'duct45 into the tube 46. The tube 46 extends upwardly past the pilot flame and terminates at its upper end substantially at the level of the discharge nozzle 1. Since the ignitng burner tube 46 is disposed intermediate the pilot and service burner, it is provided with a plurality of vents 48 arranged in a row beginning about the level of the pilot flame and extending upwardly spirally around the tube 46 to the opposite side and discharging over or at about the level of the service burner nozzle 1 as indicated at 49. The vents 48 adjacent the pilot and the levers 36 are arranged so that the vents discharge between the thermostatic levers 3U and directly to the pilot flame. Thus, when fuel is admitted to the Vigniting burner tube 46, it is ignitedby the pilot flame, travels upwardly around the tube igniting the gas from each vent 48 in succession and finally discharging over the service burner nozzle 1.

In order that the flow of fuel to the igniting and service burners may be controlled while the pilot remains in operation and maintains the valve disk 26 unseated, a gas cock 56 is provided. The cock 50 is adapted to be operated manually by a lever I disposed in front of the heater, as indicated in Fig. 1. This gas cock is operably disposed intermediate the discharge passage I4 on the one hand and both the duct 45 and the manifold 5 on the other hand, and has passages 52 and 53 arranged to communicate the passage I4 respectively with the duct 45 and with the When the cock is open, the passages 52 and 53 are preferably so arranged with respect to each other that gas is admitted to the tube 46 at all times during the Yadmission of gas to the manifold 5 and is blocked from the tube 46 when blocked from the manifold 5. Referring to the service burners, the discharge nozzlel is a circular opening having a side wall 55 provided withan internal annular shoulder 56. Within the nozzle is arranged a lava plug 51, preferably vi'lrmly seated on the shoulder 56 and terminating flush with the rim of the wall 55. The plug 51 is provided with a Ynumber of passages, preferably in the form of radial slots 58 which extend endwise entirely through the plug and open onto the circumference of the plug in spaced relation to each other. When the plug 51 is seated within the discharge nozzle opening and flush with the rim, all gas emitted therefrom is discharged upwardly.

In order that some of this gas may pass radially or laterally of the nozzle so as to pass more readily to the ignition burner 46, orrlaterally from one nozzle to another to effect a better firing relation, the plugs 51 of the present structure are allowed to protrude above the rim of the wall 55 of the nozzle 1. Thus fuel entering the slots 58 may iiow radially as well as upwardly. A distinct advantage is effected by this arrangement in that no particular circumferenf tial positioning of the plugs 51 within the passage 1 is required whereas, if the plugs are flush with the rim, the rim must be slotted and the rim slot aligned with one of the slots of the plug to provide a lateral vent.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 7 a valve Ii similar to that above described is illustrated, this valve being arranged with the pilot head in such relation to the service burners that the intermediate igniting burner is unnecessary. The parts of the valve shown in Figs. 6 and 'I corresponding to those above described are designated by cor-V responding primed numerals.

'Ihe valve I0' is so arranged relative to the service burners that the pilot llame is maintained about the level of the rim of burner nozzle 1. The thermostatic levers 30' are so arranged as to provide an unobstructed path from the pilot flame to the adjacent service burner. In this burner, the plug 51 terminates at its upper end substantially flush with the upper edge of the nozzle 1' and the walls of the nozzle 1 are slotted, as indicated at 60, so as to expose the opening of one of the slots 58' laterally through the slot 60. The slot 60 is preferably greater in length circumferentially than the space between adjacent slots 5B so that the plug 51 does not have to be carefully positioned circumferentially of the nozzle 1 to insure lateral discharge of gas. Furthermore, if a narrow slot were used, the gas would be emitted at such high velocity that ignition of the burner thereby would be more difficult. VThe slot 60 adjacent the pilot burner is positioned circumferentially of the nozzle to discharge directly between the thermostatic levers 31) toward the pilot flame so that an effective flow of gas to form a path of ignition from the service to pilot burner is provided.

In both valves it may be vdesirable at times and for less expensive installations to dispense with the flattened area 21 or 21 on the stem so that the valve 33 or 33 must be left open at all times. Since the escape of gas from the pilot burner inv such instance is very small and the expense of eliminating such an escape comparatively great, such escape of gas has been considered permissible. However, in the present structure, it is preferable at all times to utilize the duct afforded by the surface 21 or 21' so that no escape of gas whatever results in case the pilot becomes in any way extinguished.

l It is apparent from the foregoing description that the structure of the present invention is especially adapted for use in connection with the usual household room heaters and also other types ofV fuel burning equipment wherein rapid pilot action and safety are equally desirable.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: l. In a fuel burning device including a burner to be lighted and a pilot burner in firing relation thereto, a valve comprising a hollow body hav- ,ing an inlet passage and an outlet passage, both communicating with the body cavity, a bore in said body communicating with the body cavity andthe outside atmosphere, a plug snugly fitting in said bore and slidable axially thereof and normally blocking the flow of fuel through said bore, said plug protruding into the body cavity, a valve seat within the body, a valve disk carried bythe protruding end of said plug and cooperable with said seat when moved by the 4plug to admit fuel from the inlet passage to the outlet passage when open and to block the flow of fuel to the outlet passage when closed, a duct in said plug communicating at its outer end with means, said thermostatic means being operable when heated to move the plug to position to open the valve'and when cool, to move the plug to position to close the valve.

2. In a thermostatically controlled burner device, means for maintaining a. flame, a thermostatic lever disposed in heating relation to the llame, said lever being bowed toward the flame intermediate its ends and arranged so that upon heating and cooling of the lever the ends move relatively toward and away from each other respectively, means operable to maintain the ends of said lever in parallel paths of movement spaced different distances radially from the axis of the llame respectively during said relative movement, whereby said thermostatic lever swings toward and away from the flame during operation, and valve means operated by the lever when the ends of said thermostatic lever move toward each other to reduce the admission of fuel to the llame, and operated by the lever when the ends of the lever move relatively apart to increase the admission of fuel to the llame.

3. A burner device comprising a hollow body having a fuel inlet passage7 burner means receiving fuel from the body for sustaining a pilot flame, valve means for controlling the admission of fuel from the body to said pilot flame, a thermostatic lever disposed in heating relation to the llame, an arm carried by the body, another arm carried by the valve means and movable therewith, said arms being spaced apart in the direction of movement of the valve means, said thermostatic lever being pivotally connected at its ends respectively to the said arms and being bowed inward intermediate its ends toward the flame, the pivotal connection of the lever with the arm on the valve means being positioned laterally from the flame a greater distance than the pivotal connection of the lever with the arm of the body, said arms being operative to maintain the ends of the lever in parallel paths spaced different distances laterally of the flame, whereby said thermostatic lever swings toward the flame when the ends are moved relatively apart, and away from the llame when the ends move relatively together, said valve means being arranged in relation to the levers to be operated to reduce the flow of fuel to the flame as the levers swing away from the flame and to increase the flow of fuel to the flame when the levers swing toward the flame.

4. In a pilotburner device, a valve body having a seat, a valve plug cooperable with the seat for controlling the admission of fuel to sustain a pilot ame, a thermostatic lever in heating relation to the pilot flame and operatively connected at one end to the valve plug and at the other end to the body, said lever being bowed adjacent the flame intermediate its ends, and arranged so that upon heating of the lever, the ends thereof move relatively toward each other and thereby move the valve plug and seat relatively toward each other for reducing the admission of fuel to the pilot flame, and upon cooling of the lever, the ends thereof move relatively away from each other and thereby move the valve plug and seat relatively away from each other for increasing the admission of fuel to the pilot llame, and means operable to maintain the end of said lever connected to the plug in a path of travel spaced a greater distance outwardly from the flame than the end of the lever connected to the body during said relative movements, whereby upon movement of said ends of the lever toward each other for reducing the admission of fuel to the pilot flame, the intermediate portion ofthe lever is swung outwardly about the body end of the lever away from the flame.

5. A gas burning device comprising a hollow body having a fuel inlet passage, a burner head telescopically mounted for movement relative to the body, means to supply gas to the burner head for maintaining a flame, valve means to control the flow of fuel to said head, said burner head being operable to operate said valve means for reducing the admission of gas to the head consequent upon movement of said burner head to a more telescoped position relative to the body, and for increasing the admission of gas to the head consequent upon movement of the head to a less relatively telescoped position, thermostatic levers arranged at opposite sides of the name, each of said levers being connected at one end to said burner head and at its opposite end to the body, and each of said levers being bowed inwardly toward the flame intermediate its ends, andarrangedv so that upon heating of the levers the ends of each move relatively toward each other and thereby move the head and body to said relatively more telescoped position, and so that upon cooling of the levers the ends of each move relatively away from each other and thereby move the head and body to said less relatively telescoped position, the connections between the levers and the burner'head being spaced a greater distance outwardly from the path of movement of the head than the connections between the levers and the body.

GEORGE HERBSTER. 

